The White House on Monday withdrew the nomination of a former Dubai Ports World executive to direct U.S. maritime affairs after his appointment was blocked in the Senate during a political storm over port security. David Sanborn requested the Bush administration withdraw his name from consideration, according to a copy of a letter he sent to U.S. President George W. Bush.
"While I believe my background makes me one of the most qualified people there is for this position, the convergence of a number of factors bring me to the conclusion that I cannot effectively serve my country, you, and the U.S. maritime industry," Sanborn wrote.
He was appointed in January but his nomination was slowed in the Senate in February and early March as Republican and Democratic lawmakers revolted over DP World plans to manage six U.S. ports, including New York, as part of its purchase of a rival company. Lawmakers worried about the potential security implications of an Arab-based firm managing critical infrastructure criticized Bush administration approval of the deal. DP World is owned by the United Arab Emirates government.
Congress was unmoved by administration assurances and statements by some maritime experts that the deal had been vetted properly and that their concerns were overblown. Lawmakers did not back down when the company agreed to another U.S. government review of the purchase, including the proposal's security elements.
http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-03-28T010738Z_01_N27318048_RTRUKOC_0_US-SECURITY-PORTS-NOMINATION.xml
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